Electrical distribution and current collecting assembly for high speed drive arrangements

ABSTRACT

Multi-phase current collecting assembly for high speed drive arrangements comprising a rail type conductor of high rigidity composed of a pair of tied profile strips defining a dihedral contact surface for engagement with mating dihedral contact surfaces of contact shoes.

United States Patent Payen 1451 Jan. 9,1973 7 [54] ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTION AND [56] References Cited CURRENT COLLECTING ASSEMBLY UNITED STATES PATENTS ARRANGEMENTS 3,155,207 11/1964 Blemly et al ..191/35 1mm Jun-Pol W Grenoble, 32???? 3533? Xiif'fiffffifii::.1.....:::::::ifiififi [73] Assignee: Merlin Gerin, Societe Anonyme, I

Gr obl France Primary Examiner--Gerald M. Forlenza Assistant Examiner-Richard A. Bertsch [22] F'Ied: 1970 Attorney-Stevens, Davis, Miller & Mosher [2]] Appl. N0.: 78,413

[57] ABSTRACT [30] Foreign Application Priorit D t Multi-phase current collecting assembly for high speed drive arrangements comprising a rail type conductor Sept. 18, 1970 France ..7034059 of ig g y composed of a p i of i p file Strips 'defining a dihedral contact surface for engagement [52] US. Cl. ..l9l/22 R, 191/30, 191/45 A t t 51 lm. c1. ..B60m 1/00, B60m 1/34 matmg Contact Surfaces of con [58] Field of Search ..191/22 R, 30, 45 A 10 Claims, 5 Drawing Fignres PATENTEDJM 9l975 sum 1 or 2 ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTION AND CURRENT COLLECTING ASSEMBLY FOR HIGH SPEED DRIVE ARRANGEMENTS This invention relates to an electrical distribution and current collecting assembly, more particularly for high speed vehicles, comprising a collector head having contact shoe means engaging conducting rails which extend along the track of said vehicle and which guide the collector head along the track.

It is an object of the invention to provide an assembly of low. cost having an exceptionally high mechanical rigidity which permits reduction of the number of support units of the conducting rails.

It is another object of the invention to provide a conducting rail of box structure having a high moment of inertia which can withstand high forces applied by the collector head moving at high speed.

It is another object of the invention to provide a conducting rail assembly particularly suited to avoid derailment of the collector head.

It is still another object of the invention to provide an assembly adapted to avoid the accumulation of water on the conducting rail.

It is another object of the invention to provide an assembly comprising improved ice-breaking means.

A further object of the invention is to provide improved rail connecting devices assuring electrical continuity and providing for thermal expansion.

These and other objects and advantages will become apparent upon reading of the following description given by way of illustration only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional schematic view of an assembly according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view, on a larger scale of a rail-shaped conductor of the track of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to that of FIG. 2 illustrating another embodiment of the invention with modified rail profile and continuous contact surface;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the end of a rail in accordance with another embodiment, equipped with a connecting splice bar at the place of an expansion joint;

FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of an expansion joint of the type shown in FIG. 4.

In FIG. 1, a multi-phase current collecting or feed track designated generally as is formed of three conductors in the form of elongated rails 12, 12, 12" which extend along a path of displacement of a vehicle (not shown), for instance of a vehicle of the air-cushion type supported by a fluid cushion. Within the passageway defined by the conductors 12, 12' and 12" there slides a current collecting head 14 bearing collecting shoes of the brush type 16, 16', 16" which cooperate with the associated rails in such a manner as to collect the multi-phase feed current of the motor (not shown) which is present on the vehicle. A track of the type mentioned has been described in French Pat. No. 1,566,377 to which reference may suitably be had for further details.

Referring to FIG. 2, a description will now' be given of one of the conductors of the track 10, for instance the conductor 12; the other conductors l2 and 12" may be of identical type or, of a different type. The conductor 12' is formed of an assembly of two identical profile strips l8, 18 arranged symmetrically and opposite each other and spaced apart one with respect to the other by spacer means 21 inserted between the two profiled members. The spacer means 21 are staggered along the rail and tie members of any suitable type clamp the two profiled members against the spacer means 21 in such a manner as to constitute a rigid boxshaped structure. The profiled member 18 and its symmetrical member 18' each have a thickened upper edge 20, 20' of polygonal cross-section the flat front face 22,

22' of which is arranged obliquely with respect to the vertical longitudinal plane of the rail, indicated in FIG. 2 by the line X-X'. The profiled member 18, 18' is made of conductive material, particularly of aluminum, and the thickened edge 20 is covered by a cap having the shape of an inverted U made of stainless steel or the like which constitutes the contact surface cooperating with the contact shoes 16. It is easy to see that as a result of the symmetrical arrangement of the profiled members 18 and 18', the oblique surfaces 22 and 22' covered by the caps 24 and 24' define a concave dihedral surface in which the V-shaped end of the shoe 16' can fit. The distance between the profiled strips 18 and 18, which is defined by the thickness of the spacer means 21, is such that an interval 26 is left between the edges 20 and 20', this space 26 which is of divergent shape widening in the direction away from the contact faces 22, 22'.

The rail 12 is fastened to supports arranged along the track; only the upper part 28 of one of them is visible in FIG. 2. The end 28 of the fork-shaped support has two teeth 30, 32 between which the lower portion of the rail 12 is inserted. A fastening and clamping bolt 34 passes through aligned orifices provided in the teeth 30 and 32, the profiled members 18, 18 and the spacer means 21, arranged at the tie zone. The base of the profiled members 18, 18' is bent to rest on mating surfaces 36, 36' of the support 28. The contact surfaces of the profiled members 18, 18 and of the spacer means 21 are ribbed at 37 so as to create an interpenetration which assures a rigid connection under the clamping effect of the bolt 34.

A channel-shaped recess 38, 38 is provided in the thickened edge portion 20, 20' of each profiled member 18, 18' so as to form a conduit which extends in the longitudinal direction of the rail and within which a flow of a cooling or heating fluid can be produced. The channel 38, 38' could also serve as housing for a heating device, for instance a heating wire, in order to remove ice which has accumulated on the contact surfaces. A groove 40, 40' communicating with the recess 38, 38' and flush with the contact surface 22, 22 capped by the cap 24, 24' permits the fluid to contact the cap 24, 24'. The rail '12 is flanked on each side by two plates 42, 42' the upper edges of which protrude upward and surround with clearance the contact shoe 16. The lower portion of the plates 42, 42' is inserted between the teeth 30, 32 of the support 28 and the profiled members 18, 18 so as to be rigidly fastened to the rail 12'. A similar fastening is effected at the place of each support. The front portion of the contact shoe l6, seen in the direction of travel of the latter, is provided with a finger or knife 44 which penetrates into the space 26 between the profiled members 18 and 18. In case of a collector head which is capable of traveling in both directions, it'is advisable,

of course, to provide fingers 44 on both sides of the contact shoe, which fingers may furthermore be rigidly connected with the collector head. The fingers 44 do not participate in the collecting of the current.

The use of the track in accordance with the invention is as follows:

Between the teeth .30, 32 of the support 28 of the track 10, there are inserted the profiled members 18, 18 with the interposition of the plates 42, 42 and, in the central portion, of a spacing means 21. When the bolt 34 has been put in place and tightened, the rail is rigidly fastened to its support 28.

It will be noted that the component elements of this track are of a very simple shape and manufacture, the essential parts consisting of the profiled members 18 and 18 being identical. The contact shoe l6 cooperates with wear-resistance stainless steel surfaces and the finger 44 preceding the shoe breaks any ice which might form between and on the contact surfaces 24, 24' so as to permit good electrical contact of the shoes. The space 26 provided between the profiled members prevents any accumulation of water or other obstacles at the bottom of the concave portion defined by the dihedral of the surface of the contacts 22, 22.

It should be noted that the same standard basic parts permit the production of rails with groove or space 26 of variable thickness by simple use of spacer means 21 of different thickness. The size of this space can be zero when the contact surfaces 22, 22' directly adjoin each other, in the manner shown in FIG. 1 in the case of the rails 12 and 12". Such a groove, as a matter of fact, is superfluous in the case of a rail which has its contact surface directed downward, since no accumulation of water can take place thereon. FIG. 3 illustrates a rail of this type having directly contiguous profiled members.

It will be understood that the invention is in no way limited to the profile more particularly described with respect to FIG. 2 and by way of example there has been shown in FIG. 3 a rail of general shape similar to that of FIG. 2 but the shape of the profiled members of which is slightly different. The thickness of the cap 46, 46' capping the thickened edge of the profiled member is also substantially greater than that of the cap shown in FIG. 2, these modifications, of course, in no way affecting the qualities or characteristics of the rail.

FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate more particularly an expansion joint provided between two successive rails 48, 50, a third rail profile of a general shape close to that shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 being shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. It is obvious that the expansion joint can be adapted indiscriminately to either of these profiles. I

The thickened edges of each profiled member 52, 54 constituting, for instance, the rail 48, are cut out at 56 and 58 in the end portion close to the expansion joint and over a certain length of the rail so as to offer a recess for a splice bar 60 which is inserted'between the profiled members 52 and 54 with a soft frictional fit.

The side surfaces of the splice bar 60 are provided with ribs which fit those of the profiled members 52, 54 resting against the splice bar in such a manner that the latter is capable of carrying out only a sliding movement in the longitudinal direction of the rail 48. The other end of the splice bar 60 penetrates into a similar recess in the rail 50, a sufficient space for thermal expansions of the rails being provided between the two successive rails 48, 50. The front surface 62 of the splice bar is flush with the contact surfaces of the rails 48 and 50 and is advantageously covered by a cap of stainless steel in a manner similar to that described previously in connection with the rail contact surfaces. The contact surface 62 of the splice bar 60 is also grooved at 64 so as to permit a discharge of water towards a longitudinal channel 66 provided in the body of the splice bar 60. The dihedral-shaped surface 62 is coplanar with the contact surfaces of the profiled members 52 and 54, and it is easy to see that during the displacement of the contact shoe, the latter is in contact simultaneously with the contact surfaces of the rail 48 and the splice bar 60, and then in the region of connection of the rails 48, 50, only with the contact surface of the splice bar 60 and then again in contact with the surfaces of the rail 50 and of the splice bar 60. The continuity .of the electric feed is thus assured at any point of the track, the contact surface being slightly decreased at the region of connection of two successive rails.

It will be understood that in the case of an ungrooved contact dihedral rail, the splice bar used may also be of the solid dihedral type. Any other form of splice bar can, of course, be used, and one can contemplate connecting one of the ends of the splice bar rigidly to one of the rails, the relative movement of compensation of the thermal expansions taking place in this case only on one side. The fastening of the stainless steel caps onto the aluminum conductors is effected in well known manner by spot welding or by any other customary process.

What is claimed is:

1. An electrical distribution and current collecting assembly for use in high speed drive arrangements comprising movable contact shoe means defining a dihedral current collecting contact surface, a rail type stationary conductor comprising a pair of symmetrically disposed profile strips of conducting material defining a mating dihedral contact surface adapted to be engaged in sliding contact relation by said contact surface of said movable contact shoe means, longitudinally spaced apart spacer means having a pair of opposed outer surfaces shaped to fit corresponding portions of the inner surface of said profile strips tie means to clamp said profile strips against said spacer means and longitudinal connection members of conducting material for mechanical and electrical connecting of longitudinally spaced apart profile strips, said connection members having profiled outer surfaces mating with corresponding inner surface portions of said profile strips, said connection members including a dihedral, contact surface prolonging said dihedral contact surface of said profile strips, said connection members engaging said spaced apart profile strips telescopically.

2. An assembly according to claim 1, said spaced apart profile strips having cut-out end portions of said mating dihedral contact surfaces interfitting with corresponding end portions of said connection members.

3. An electrical distribution and current collecting assembly for use in high speed drive arrangements, comprising:

movable contact shoe means defining a dihedral current collecting contact surface;

a rail type stationary conductor having a pair of juxtaposed parallelly extending profile strips of conducting material including each an outer and an opposed inner surface and defining together a dihedral contact surface shaped to be engaged in sliding contact relation by said dihedral contact surface of said contact shoe means;

longitudinally spaced apart support members having each a pair of opposed legs cooperating with said outer surface of said profile strips to support said conductor;

spacer means for each support member, said spacer means having a pair of opposed outer surfaces cooperating with said inner surface of said profile strips, respectively; and

tie means to clamp said legs and said profile strips against said spacer means.

4. An assembly according to claim 3, said profile strips comprising fluid conduit means disposed in heat transfer relation with said mating dihedral contact surface.

5. An assembly according to claim 3, said profile strips comprising a thickened portion defining said mating dihedral contact surface.

6. An assembly according to claim 3, said profile strips comprising channel means disposed in the immediate vicinity of said the dihedral contact surface thereof for accomodating of heating means.

7. An assembly according to claim 3, said inner surface of said profile strips and said outer surfaces of said spacer means having interfitting longitudinally extending groove and rib means.

8. An assembly according to claim 3, said profile strips being spaced apart to define a longitudinally extending control gap between the faces of the dihedral contact surface thereof, said contact shoe means comprising ice-breaking knife means projecting from the dihedral contact surface thereof and adapted to run through said gap.

9. A rail conductor assembly comprising:

a pair of longitudinally spaced apart rail type conductors of electrically conducting material defining a dihedral contact surface for use with movable contact shoe means having a corresponding dihedral current collecting contact surface; and

a longitudinally extending expansion joint connection member of electrically conducting material for mechanical and electrical connection of said conductors, said connection member having a pair of opposed profiled outer surfaces mating with corresponding profiled inner surface portions of the confronting end portions of said conductors in telescoping relation, said connection member defining a dihedral contact surface prolonging said dihedral contact surface of said conductors therebetween.

10. An assembly according to claim 9, said end portions being shaped to define cut-out parts of the dihedral contact surface thereof to accomodate corresponding end portions of the dihedral contact surface of said connection member. 

1. An electrical distribution and current collecting assembly for use in high speed drive arrangements comprising movable contact shoe means defining a dihedral current collecting contact surface, a rail type stationary conductor comprising a pair of symmetrically disposed profile strips of conducting material defining a mating dihedral contact surface adapted to be engaged in sliding contact relation by said contact surface of said movable contact shoe means, longitudinally spaced apart spacer means having a pair of opposed outer surfaces shaped to fit corresponding portions of the inner surface of said profile strips tie means to clamp said profile strips against said spacer means and longitudinal connection members of conducting material for mechanical and electrical connecting of longitudinally spaced apart profile strips, said connection members having profiled outer surfaces mating with corresponding inner surface portions of said profile strips, said connection members including a dihedral, contact surface prolonging said dihedral contact surface of said profile strips, said connection members engaging said spaced apart profile strips telescopically.
 2. An assembly according to claim 1, said spaced apart profile strips having cut-out end portions of said mating dihedral contact surfaces interfitting with corresponding end portions of said connection members.
 3. An electrical distribution and current collecting assembly for use in high speed drive arrangements, comprising: movable contact shoe means defining a dihedral current collecting contact surface; a rail type stationary conductor having a pair of juxtaposed parallelly extending profile strips of conducting material including each an outer and an opposed inner surface and defining together a dihedral contact surface shaped to be engaged in sliding contact relation by said dihedral contact surface of said contact shoe means; longitudinally spaced apart support members having each a pair of opposed legs cooperating with said outer surface of said profile strips to support said conductor; spacer means for each support member, said spacer means having a pair of opposed outer surfaces cooperating with said inner surface of said profile strips, respectively; and tie means to clamp said legs and said profile strips against said spacer means.
 4. An assembly according to claim 3, said profile strips comprising fluid conduit means disposed in heat transfer relation with said mating dihedral contact surface.
 5. An assembly according to claim 3, said profile strips comprising a thickened portion defining said mating dihedral contact surface.
 6. An assembly according to claim 3, said profile strips comprising channel means disposed in the immediate vicinity of said the dihedral contact surface thereof for accomodating of heating means.
 7. An assembly according to claim 3, said inner surface of said profile strips and said outer surfaces of said spacer means having interfitting longitudinally extending groove and rib means.
 8. An Assembly according to claim 3, said profile strips being spaced apart to define a longitudinally extending control gap between the faces of the dihedral contact surface thereof, said contact shoe means comprising ice-breaking knife means projecting from the dihedral contact surface thereof and adapted to run through said gap.
 9. A rail conductor assembly comprising: a pair of longitudinally spaced apart rail type conductors of electrically conducting material defining a dihedral contact surface for use with movable contact shoe means having a corresponding dihedral current collecting contact surface; and a longitudinally extending expansion joint connection member of electrically conducting material for mechanical and electrical connection of said conductors, said connection member having a pair of opposed profiled outer surfaces mating with corresponding profiled inner surface portions of the confronting end portions of said conductors in telescoping relation, said connection member defining a dihedral contact surface prolonging said dihedral contact surface of said conductors therebetween.
 10. An assembly according to claim 9, said end portions being shaped to define cut-out parts of the dihedral contact surface thereof to accomodate corresponding end portions of the dihedral contact surface of said connection member. 